Consider an extended warranty plan if you buy a Surface Pro 6

If you’re looking at picking up Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 6 this year, you may want to also consider adding an extended warranty or accidental damage coverage in case something goes wrong. Repair site iFixit gave the Surface Pro 6 a repairability score of just 1 out of 10, meaning that it would be difficult for most home users to repair on their own.

Like many of the Surface Pro 6’s predecessors, this year’s tablet earned a low repairability score because of Microsoft’s excessive use of glue to secure the tablet and its component in place, making it difficult to remove the display assembly and battery.

“All repairs require first removing the display assembly — which is stubbornly glued in place, expensive, and prone to shattering,” iFixit noted in its report. “Complex construction makes all disassembly and reassembly tedious in comparison to other tablets.”

Microsoft offers a standard limited-warranty policy on its hardware in the United States, which includes a one-year warranty for defects and malfunctions along with 90 days of technical support for preinstalled software. In addition to the standard warranty, cautious Surface Pro 6 owners can also purchase optional extended warranties. Microsoft sells its own protection plan, called Microsoft Complete, that extends the coverage to two years for $149. Microsoft Complete also adds coverage for accidental damage, including liquid damage and cracked screens, though a deductible would apply if the damage is deemed to be caused by the user and not due to manufacturing defects.

If you bought your Surface Pro 6 without a warranty package, Microsoft advises that you have up to 45 days from the date of purchase to add a protection plan. Customers can either visit the Microsoft online or retail store. Because of the difficulty in disassembling and repairing Surface products, customers have reported in the past that Microsoft would exchange a defective product for a refurbished or new item through its warranty program.

Some retailers may also offer their own extended warranty protection. Best Buy, for example, offers its Geek Squad protection plans. Like Microsoft Complete, Geek Squad protection plans also include accidental damage coverage. Best Buy’s service range from $120 for a one-year plan to $260 to extend the coverage to three years.

Aside from repairability issue, consumers should also be mindful of the storage configuration when purchasing their Surface Pro 6. Unlike older Surface Pro models, iFixit noted that the storage module on the Surface Pro 6 is not removable, so you won’t be able to upgrade the solid-state drive to a larger capacity drive if your needs change down the road — even if you’re able to disassemble and reassemble the tablet on your own.

3D printer prices have dropped dramatically over the past few years, but just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s worth buying. Here, we’ve rounded up all the cheap 3D printers that are actually worth spending your money on.

The Surface Go versus Surface Pro -- which is better? While the higher price tag of one might make you think it's an easy choice, a deeper dive into what each offers makes it a closer race than you might assume.

If you want to buy your next laptop based around a specific brand, it helps to know which the best brands of laptops are. This list will give you a good grounding in the most reliable, quality laptop manufacturers today.

Microsoft is leaning on artificial intelligence as it resumes the automatic rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. You should start seeing the update soon now that Microsoft has resolved problems with the initial software.

The latest iterations of MacOS offer a native Split View feature that can automatically divide screen space between two applications. Here's how to use Split View on a Mac, adjust it as needed, and how it can help out.

Mining Bitcoin today is harder than it used to be, but if you have enough time, money, and cheap electricity, you can still turn a profit. Here's how to get started mining Bitcoin at home and in the cloud.

Here's fixed wireless 5G explained! Learn what you need to know about this effective new wireless technology, when it's available, how much it costs, and more. If you're thinking about 5G, this guide can help!

If you have a growing ache in your wrist, it might be worth considering ergonomic mice alternatives. But which is the best ergonomic mouse for you? One of these could be the ticket to the right purchase for you.

Though many indie games now come to consoles as well, there's still a much larger selection on PC. With that in mind, we've created a list of the best indie games for PC, with an emphasis on games that are only available on PC.

Battery life is one of the most important factors in buying any laptop, especially MacBooks. Their battery life is typically average, but there are some standouts. Knowing which MacBook has the best battery life can be rather useful.